Cyr61 as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of cancers of epithelial origin

Abstract

Urinary Cyr61 protein levels are up regulated in patients that have cancers of epithelial origin, i.e. breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to methods for prognostic evaluation, and diagnosis of cancers of epithelial origin. Further, the amount of Cyr61 protein detected in a urine sample correlates with disease status such that Cyr61 levels can be used to predict the presence of, as well as the metastatic potential of cancer. Thus, measuring the level of Cyr61 in urine provides a quick, easy, and safe screen that can be used to both diagnose and prognose cancer in a patient.

1. A method for facilitating the diagnosis of a subject for breast cancer comprising:
 a. measuring Cyr61 levels present in a test urine sample obtained from the subject; 
 b. comparing the level of Cyr61 in the test urine sample with the level of Cyr61 present in a control urine sample; 
 wherein a higher level of Cyr61 in the test sample as compared to the level of Cyr61 in the control sample is indicative of breast cancer. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by a method comprising the steps of:
 a. contacting the test sample, or preparation thereof, with an antibody-based binding moiety which specifically binds Cyr61 to form an antibody-Cyr61 complex; and 
 b. detecting the presence of the complex, thereby measuring the level of Cyr61 present. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the antibody-based binding moiety is labeled with a detectable label. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of a radioactive label, a hapten label, a fluorescent label, and an enzymatic label. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the antibody-based binding moiety is an antibody. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is an monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
       7. A method to direct treatment of a subject which comprises having a subject tested for the levels of Cyr61 in a urine sample obtained from the subject, wherein a clinician reviews the results and if the subject's urine sample has a higher level of Cyr61 than the level of Cyr61 in the control sample, the clinician directs the subject to be treated for breast cancer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 in the test sample is at least 1.5-fold higher than in the control sample. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 in the test sample is at least 2-fold higher than in the control sample. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by mass spectrometric analysis. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by an antibody. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by enzyme linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by Western blotting. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of Cyr61 protein is measured by a protein chip.